“WE controlled the match a lot like we prepared. Then they equalised and we started to get into their box. We didn't create big chances and we were closer to the second goal, but we didn’t do that. The result is a bad result, but tactically I think we worked how we wanted.”
The words of Unai Emery after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The phrase, “tactically I think we worked how we wanted,” should jump off the page for Arsenal fans and for Josh Kroenke and the Arsenal executive team. One of the chief complaints from Gunners fans during Emery’s tenure has been a lack of a clear tactical identity or philosophy.
It’s a complaint I have proffered myself, but as I read those words on Saturday evening, I came to a realisation. The desire for an “identity” or a “philosophy” is simple wish casting. Arsenal have an identity, it’s just not a very good one. Interestingly, the coach referenced last season’s results at home to Wolves and Crystal Palace in his post-match briefing too.
“We lost two very good opportunities at home against two teams who we didn't win against last season either.” This demonstrates that last season’s home matches against the teams factored heavily in his plan for this season’s fixtures. Last November, Wolves had Arsenal for breakfast on the counter-attack at the Emirates, transitioning on them time and time and time again.
It’s Unai Emery’s birthday today. I can only imagine the dread felt by the Arsenal media team over the ‘happy birthday’ tweet they are going to have to put out.
The replies……..
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) November 3, 2019
That didn’t happen on this occasion, Arsenal did manage to prevent the away side from imposing their renowned counter-attacking game. The problem is that, firstly, Arsenal can find any number of ways to concede a goal. Secondly, Emery didn’t seem to have prepared any sort of game plan to exploit Wolves’ defensive weaknesses, the scheme was about trying to stop Nuno Espirito Santo’s side- which is fine- but there wasn’t a demonstrative plan to try to hurt them.
Arsenal’s final shot on target on Saturday occurred in the 32nd minute. This has been an undeniable trend under his stewardship, the Gunners take the lead and then seek to contain their opponents. Emery dices with the margins of every game, treating every league fixture like the potentially tricky away leg of a European tie.
It doesn’t matter how many times they are punished by refusing to play as soon as they are in the ascendancy, Emery will keep instructing his team to execute the same task. Even with his job on the line and supporter sentiment sinking towards the ocean bed, he was satisfied with the job he had asked his team to do against Wolves.
He was similarly unrepentant after the defeat to Sheffield United. “I think we controlled it in moments to create more chances. We didn’t score tonight, but if we played another match like tonight, I think it’s easier to achieve the points.” He was satisfied with the execution of the game plan at Bramall Lane, it just didn’t go Arsenal’s way in his eyes.
Can we all just stop pretending Emery doesn't have a style? This is his style. He's a reactive and passive coach. He's been working at it every day for almost 18 months. This is the football he wants to implement.
— 7amkickoff (@7amkickoff) October 22, 2019
This is because Emery treats every game like an arm wrestle, he plays on the margins and hopes that the team’s superior attacking quality will see them just edge out the contest. Emery’s team has not won a game by more than the odd goal in the Premier League this season. This is a good tactic for a lower or midtable side for whom every game is a struggle. It is entirely ill-suited to a club like Arsenal, who are much more suited to overpowering lesser sides with their attacking prowess.
Not least because Arsenal’s squad is toploaded. Putting results into the hands of the squad’s defensive players as opposed to its star studded attack is a total misapprehension of the tools at the coach’s disposal. His comments in the wake of the Sheffield United and Wolves defeats show that the players are not failing to act on his instructions.
His comments also show that he is not about to change course any time soon. Unai Emery will continue to ask his players to do what they are currently doing. When someone repeatedly shows you and repeatedly tells you who they are, believe them. This is Arsenal’s ‘identity’ under Unai Emery, which is why it is a nonsense to delay his removal from the post in the hope that he can turn it around. He has already told us and shown us that the show will go on.
